SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   EHB 2534

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 17, 1992

Brief Description:  Creating a wildlife violator compact.

SPONSORS: Representatives R. King, Wilson, R. Meyers, Orr, Haugen and Kremen; by request of Department of Wildlife

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE  

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

Staff:  Vic Moon (786‑7469)

Hearing Dates: February 19, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The concept of a wildlife violator compact was first advanced in the early 1980s by member states in the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.  Currently, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Oregon have adopted wildlife violator compact legislation.

SUMMARY:

The wildlife violator compact is established in Washington.

When a wildlife officer issues a citation for a wildlife violation to a person from another party state, collateral to secure appearance is not required if the officer receives the person's personal recognizance that the person will comply with the terms of the citation.

If a person is convicted of a wildlife violation or fails to comply with the terms of a wildlife citation, the appropriate official is to report this to the licensing authority of the party state in which the wildlife citation was issued.

Upon receipt of the report of conviction or noncompliance, the licensing authority of the issuing state shall transmit pertinent information to the licensing authority in the home state of the violator.

Upon receipt of a report of failure to comply with the terms of a citation from the licensing authority of the issuing state, the licensing authority of the home state shall notify the violator, initiate a suspension action in accordance with the home state's suspension procedures, and suspend the violator's license until evidence of compliance with the terms of the wildlife citation has been furnished by the issuing state to the home state licensing authority. 

Upon receipt of a report of conviction from the licensing authority of the issuing state, the licensing authority of the home state shall treat the conviction as if it occurred in the home state for the purposes of the suspension of license privileges. 

The licensing authority of the home state shall maintain a record of actions taken and make reports to issuing states.  

Parties to the compact are to recognize the suspension of license privileges of any person by any state as if the violation on which the suspension is based had, in fact, occurred in their state.

A board of compact administrators is established composed of one representative from each of the party states, to administer the provisions of the compact and powers and duties are outlined.

The relevant agency shall enter convictions in the agency's records and shall treat the conviction as if it occurred in the state of Washington for the purposes of suspension, revocation, or forfeiture of license privileges. 

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 23, 1992